Instep-support



WILLIAM C. BURNS, OF ALBANY, OREGON.

INSTEP-SUPPORT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Application filed September 8, 1919. Serial No. 322,260.

To all whom it may noncern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. BURNS, residing at Albany, in the county of Linn and State of Oregon, have invented new and use ful Improvements in Instep-Supports, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to arch supporters and has for its object the provision of a rigid support designed to support the cuboid bone as well as the arch of the foot.

To this end, the support is non-flexible and just as high or substantially so under the cuboid bone, as it is under the arch of the foot. As the cuboid bone supports the other bones of the instep it is manifest, that by supporting the cuboid bone the other bones can be easily maintained in normal position.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of means for preventing the ends of the rigid support from hammering or knocking against the flexible insole, when the device is being worn in the shoe; and at the same time affording the insole maximum flexibility to conform to the shape of'the sole of the shoe The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understood when the following detail description is taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the

invention residing in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein:

Figure 1 is atop plan view -of the device 7 forming the subject matter-of my invention.

support 11 may be constructed from'any suitable material preferably wood, and has its opposite ends slightly tapered as at 12 to allow the flexible insole 10, and the device in its entirety to conform to the sha e of the shoe in which it is worn. In ad ition to being non-flexible, the support ll'is proportioned so as to be as high orsubstantially so under the cuboid bone, as it is under the in step or arch of the foot, with a view of maintaining all the bones of the instep and the cuboid bone in normal position. It is to be remembered that the cuboid bone largely supports the other bones of the instep, and therefore in order to provide a proper support for the arch of the foot, it is essential to maintain the cuboid bone in its normal position.

, The rigid support 11 is covered with leather or other relatively soft material 11 which is comfortable to the user and also prevents the foot from slipping upon the support. The

leather covering also increases the height of the support, to hold the foot in such a position asto maintain the shape of the shoe or in other' words to prevent the shoefrom being run over as is usually the case when arch supports are used. If desired tacks or other pointed elements may protrude from the under side of the support, to engage the sole of the shoe with a view of preventing relative movement or slipping of the are 1 support within the shoe.

The flexible insole 10 is not secured to the rigid support along the tapered extremities thereof, thus affording the flexible insole ample movement to adjust itself to the shape of the shoe in which it is worn. With aview of preventing knocking or hammering of the insole against the tapered extremities of the rigid support, incident to the relative movement of the insole with relation to the support 11,1 provide the insole 10 with transversely disposed abutments 14, preferably constructed of leather which engage against the adjacent extremities of the rigid support 11 when pressure is brought to bear upon the insole at either end of the rigid su port when walking.

Vhile I have shown and described what I consider the preferred embodiment of the invention, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself in this connection, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim is '.In a device of the class described, a'flexible insole, a rigid member secured to said insole and designed to support the. cuboid bone and the instep of the foot, and abutments carried by said insole for en agement with the opposite ends of said rigi member for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my stlfipature. WILLIAM C. B NS. 

